Quartet joins Spirited Jazz lineup

The Karel Roessingh Quartet performs at First Unitarian Church Victoria on Sunday.

The Karel Roessingh Quartet will be the guests for this month’s Spirited Jazz performance.

The quartet, featuring Karel Roessingh on piano, Joey Smith on bass, Damian Graham on drums and Mary Byrne on flute, will take the stage at the First Unitarian Church Victoria on Sunday.

Spirited Jazz is the collaboration between jazz musician Gary Theal and Rev. Shana Lynngood. Theal mines the best of professional music makers on South Vancouver Island to show the diversity and quality of jazz performed in the area.

June vespers will explore the intersection of classical and jazz music with a tribute to the work of the famous Claude Bolling, who is known for his part in the traditional jazz revival of the ‘60s. A French pianist and jazz composer; Bolling is also noted for a series of crossover collaborations with classical musicians.

Roessingh has led bands for such recognized names as Howie Mandel, Rich Little, Bob Newhart, Shari Lewis (and Lambchop), and Ted Knight, Valdy, Moody Blues, Powder Blues Band, Jan Arden, The Shirelles, and Leslie Gore, and opened for the Temptations and solo for legendary jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli.

“I’ve played with big stars, but I don’t think of those any differently than I do any other gig. I love them all,” he said.

Roessingh writes jazz tunes for his own and other groups, and has played with jazz greats such as Bud Shank, Ian MacDougall, Pat LaBarbera, Don Clark, Floyd Standifer, Roy Reynolds and many well-known vocalists.

The June 19 concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 5565 West Saanich Rd. Admission is by donation.